U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
Support Student Workers’ Historic BDS Vote
January 14th, 2016
In December 2014, Local UAW 2865, the union representing more than 14,000 student workers in the University of California system, successfully passed a resolution to join the BDS movement, making it the first US labor union to officially endorse BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions).
Last month the UAW International Executive Board (IEB) nullified the resolution even though it concluded the vote democratic and free of any misconduct. In fact, the resolution passed by a landslide margin of 65% and there was a higher turnout than previous elections.
UAW 2865 is appealing the IEB’s decision and we want to support them by demonstrating that BDS has widespread grassroots backing from people of conscience like you. Sign the petition now to show your support and demand the resolution be reinstated!
Since UAW 2865’s historic vote, other unions have followed their righteous decision in response to appeals for solidarity from Palestinians workers. Just recently, the Connecticut AFL-CIO passed a resolution calling for the National AFL-CIO to apply pressure on Israel through BDS, and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers also endorsed BDS.
The UAW IEB nullified the vote in response to an appeal filed by a member of Informed Grads, a group of local union members who oppose BDS and claim it is inherently anti-Semitic, a claim used by those interested in maintaining the status quo of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
Labor unions and workers have been at the forefront of social justice struggles worldwide. Please add your name to the petition to urge the UAW IEB to not be on the wrong side of history.
– See more at: http://endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=4638#sthash.xPMJa4LH.dpuf
